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Coffee that scalded Jacksonville toddler was on placemat she pulled from counter, police say

A coffee spill that burned a Jacksonville toddler happened accidentally at the home of the child’s grandmother, police said.

The child was at her grandmother’s home when she pulled a placemat from the kitchen counter, according to the Sheriff’s Office incident report. Her grandmother had placed a cup of coffee on the mat and was turned away getting a pastry for the 19-month-old when the accident occurred.

Coffee spilled on the right side of the child’s neck, her chest and arm, the report said. Her grandmother called the girl’s mother, and the two women were on the way to UF Health Jacksonville when another motorist saw them in distress at Collins Road and recommended they pull into a business there and call rescue workers.

A helicopter arrived at the 84 Lumber at U.S. 17 and Collins Road and took the child to UF Health Shands Hospital Gainesville where there is a burn unit.

The Department of Children and Families was notified, according to the report that ruled the case an accident.